This is a blog to highlight and discuss offensive, irresponsible, and inappropriate comments on NOLA.com's Times Picayune website. The blog is not an exhaustive daily monitor of offensive content on NOLA.com but instead the few comments posted and discussed here are exemplary of thousands of similar comments posted on the website.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Obituaries

It's pretty clear to me that obituaries are not a good place for anonymous online commenting. While not wildly offensive, the following comments to the obituary of Dennis Dannel, the chief judge of Orleans Parish traffic court, illustrate why, notwithstanding the sensible responses:

Your posts are a waste of space dayspast. Its just an obituary..they print them every day for anyone who dies, not just politicians. Dennis Dannel was simply one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

dayspast i hope when you or one of your loved ones passes away that kinder and gentler sentiments are expressed about you and yours....as a human being and a fellow Purple Knight I will pray for his family to find solace in their faith during this time of bereavement.

About Me

Billy Sothern, a New Orleans criminal defense attorney, is the author of Down In New Orleans: Reflections from a Drowned City as well as essays and articles in numerous publications including The Times Picayune, The New York Times, The Nation, and Salon. He blogs at billysothern.blogspot.com. Please email me at nolacomments at gmail.com with links to offensive content.